6/9/2013 With the WMC, lead by Walt Haas, we made our way along the ridge from Mt. Olympus to Mt. Raymond. This was a grueling yet very amazing traverse. We had a couple of rattle snake encounters, +90 degree heat, close to a 15 hour day, I am still sore a day later, and yet the pros outweigh the cons. Great Hike.

west to east as described, as WMC hike led by Walt Haas, including fellow hikers Sam, Donovan, Bob and Steve. Also did an variation earlier - "Wild Kitten" Alexander Basin to Gobblers, Mt Raymond, ridge to Neffs Canyon and return down Neffs.

Was just going to do the basic Wildcat, but I was feeling good and making good time and had some extra water and so I ended up going all the way to Reynolds passing a few more minor peaks in between. Was still doing alright but was now low on water and so I called it a day, plus I wanted to get down and blow stuff up. Total time from Mt. Olympus TH to Mill D TH 12 hr 5 minutes.

Started from the neighborhoods and climbed the North Face of Mt. Olympus to North Summit first and then onto South Summit. Then onto Mt. Raymond and descended via Bowman Fork. 10.5 hrs (solo) from neighborhood to Bowman trailhead. There was a little snow and saw a few mountain goats and only one other hiker a few miles up Bowman.

This ridge traverse is always challenging. It is near timberline so there is bushwhacking, off trail hiking, and scrambling. It goes over many unnamed summits on its way from Mount Olympus to Mount Raymond. I have only done this traverse in the west to east direction but may try it in the other direction someday.